It’s hard to narrow down all of the amazing aspects of a family RV trip. Not only will you and your family spend quality time together, but you will create memories you will all cherish for years to come. Whether this is your first RV trip – perhaps you’re renting – or you just take your RV out from time to time, there are a lot of tips that can make your next family RV vacation even more fun. With proper planning, your RV trip will be just as amazing.

With an RV, there’s no need to lose time waiting in airport lounges or train stations for your transport: the fun starts the moment you hit the road. Below are some helpful tips when planning a family RV trip.

Renting an RV?

If you don’t own an RV but plan to rent one, the first step is to pick the right size RV for your family. This is an important consideration since many RVs are simply too small, or too large, for your needs. You want to find an RV that will work for you.

Consider how much storage space you need. Try to ensure that each family member has their own space for their things. Will you be taking large, bulky items such as bikes? Are you going on a sports trip that requires lots of equipment? Another consideration is the layout of your RV. Will the sleeping arrangement be suitable for your family, and give everyone space and privacy?

Is a Special License Needed?

You don’t need a special license to drive an RV: most people rent a Class C, which is on a truck chassis and is similar to driving a truck. However, driving an RV is different than driving a car. Its height and length are much bigger than a car’s, plus it needs much more room to turn.

It’s hard to narrow down all of the amazing aspects of a family RV trip. Not only will you and your family spend quality time together, but you will create memories you will all cherish for years to come. Whether this is your first RV trip – perhaps you’re renting – or you just take your RV out from time to time, there are a lot of tips that can make your next family RV vacation even more fun. With proper planning, your RV trip will be just as amazing.

With an RV, there’s no need to lose time waiting in airport lounges or train stations for your transport: the fun starts the moment you hit the road. Below are some helpful tips when planning a family RV trip.

Renting an RV?

If you don’t own an RV but plan to rent one, the first step is to pick the right size RV for your family. This is an important consideration since many RVs are simply too small, or too large, for your needs. You want to find an RV that will work for you.

Consider how much storage space you need. Try to ensure that each family member has their own space for their things. Will you be taking large, bulky items such as bikes? Are you going on a sports trip that requires lots of equipment? Another consideration is the layout of your RV. Will the sleeping arrangement be suitable for your family, and give everyone space and privacy?

Is a Special License Needed?

You don’t need a special license to drive an RV: most people rent a Class C, which is on a truck chassis and is similar to driving a truck. However, driving an RV is different than driving a car. Its height and length are much bigger than a car’s, plus it needs much more room to turn.

A nexus of New Mexico culture, Santa Fe welcomes the spring season with a long menu of festivals and events. Check out the  Northern New Mexico Fine Arts & Crafts Guild on May 28-29. See creativity at its most inspired at second-largest art market in North America, located in the heart of the city. And throughout the season, special events see vintners, brewers and top bartenders serve up thirst-quenching beverages to eager visitors.

But there’s more to Santa Fe springtime than cocktails and crafts. Visitors can discover a bevy of cultural and outdoor adventures during a visit. Long considered one of the world’s great art cities, Santa Fe is home to more than 250 galleries, as well as an extensive collection of museums and cultural institutions.

It’s no mystery why the city pulsates with a blend of dynamic cultures. Over the course of that 400-year history, the city has served as the capital for no less than four distinct political sovereigns: the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico, the American territory of New Mexico and (since 1912) for the state of New Mexico.

Fantastic Spring Flowers

While touring the city during spring, you’ll witness one of the most beautiful springtime scenes in North America. Gaze at iris flowers that burst with purple petals throughout towns. See cherry blossoms explode outside of the Bataan Memorial near the state capital. Outside of town, the Aspen Vista Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest bustles with colorful wildflowers. In town, the Santa Fe Botanic Garden showcases flowers like marigolds that shine brightly in the sun. Asters and other wildflowers grow in profusion outside of Bandelier National Monument and other protected areas.

Power and water are two elements that make RV camping more comfortable than tent camping. To harness these elements safely and effectively, you need to know how to hook up power and water to your RV. We’ll walk you through it. 

The video above provides a quick tutorial on connecting water and electricity to your motorhome. To get the most out of your RV, subscribe to the Camping World YouTube channel to receive notifications for future videos.

Let’s walk through the basic steps to get your RV hooked up to power and water.

What is Shore Power?

Shore power is any power source provided by a campground, RV park, or even an outlet on the side of your friend’s garage. You’ll need to make sure that the power source is compatible with your RV’s internal electrical system. 

30 Amp Versus 50 Amp Service

Most RVs require either thirty-amp or fifty-amp electrical service. To check yours, look at the plug on your shore power cord. Thirty-amp plugs have three prongs, and fifty-amp plugs have four. 

Check out these three outstanding Utah RV Parks, close to beautiful locations.

Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City, Utah

Mountain Valley RV Resort, located in beautiful Heber City, Utah, welcomes you to one of the finest RV resorts in the Western United States and the highest-rated park in Utah. You will find our family-friendly resort just off Highway 40 in Heber City, located in Northern Utah just 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City, 20 minutes south of Interstate 80 (Park City) and 30 minutes east of I-15 (Orem). Open year-round and sheltered by the stunning Rocky Mountains of the Heber Valley, we offer the absolute best in full-service RV lifestyle and accommodations.

Grand Plateau RV Resort in Kanab, Utah

Grand Plateau RV Resort is Kanab’s newest RV destination, located just outside of town and offering stunning desert views. Kanab is located inside the “Grand Circle,” with access to National Parks, Scenic Byways and Native American attractions. Some of America’s most diverse scenery can be found in the Grand Circle — the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and Arches National Park, just to name a few. Bold splashes of color, fascinating geologic shapes and the mysterious remnants of Native American cultures await you at every turn. After a day of exploring, return back to the resort to relax in the pool and spa! Open all year!

If you are familiar with the types and classes of RVs available, then you might also know that there’s an RV out there called a Super C RV. What is a Super C RV? It is a Class C RV that’s built larger and more along the scale of a Class A motorhome. However, while it is built larger than the average Class C, the Super C RV is still not built on a bus chassis.

It still has a large commercial truck chassis as its foundation. This enables some advantages that make the Super C special. Personally, I think these RVs are super cool and a good alternative to a Class A motorhome. I know I’m not alone in this thought, so let’s take a closer look at why they’re so awesome.

What Is a Super C RV Exactly?

Super C RVs are motorhomes that offer a design similar to a Class C coach, but with a larger chassis and a larger powerplant. The super-large frame and extra-powerful engine open up a lot of possibilities when it comes to the details of the motorhome.

So the chassis on Super C’s are a lot bigger, but how much bigger? Class C motorhomes will typically use the Ford E-450 chassis or a comparable chassis from Chevrolet or another manufacturer, Super C RVs get the larger truck chassis. For example, the 2020 Thor Motor Coach Omi Motorhome features the F-550 chassis. This is a considerably larger option.

Santa Fe Skies RV Park is family-built, owned and operated. It sits on 17 acres overlooking the beautiful mountains of Santa Fe, New Mexico. We are “Big Rig friendly”: Fifty-five sites are pull-thrus designed to accommodate large motor coaches and travel trailers. All sites are equipped with 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical service. Water and Sewer are available at all pull-thru and almost all back-in sites. We are “pet friendly.” Free Wifi is available.

Santa Fe Skies is within a short driving distance to two major shopping malls (one an outlet mall), several restaurants, a large supermarket and other local businesses. We are located just off the scenic Turquoise Trail, which includes the historic Villages of Cerrillos and the artist center of Madrid. It is only a short distance from the 17th-century Spanish Colonial Living History Museum, El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, which was the last overnight stop for travelers coming to Santa Fe on the El Camino Real from Mexico.

The city of Santa Fe is located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains at an altitude of 7,000 feet above sea level. (That is 1,500 feet higher than Denver, Colorado.) Since the Santa Fe Skies RV Park sits on a ridge just outside of town, you get a panoramic view of the entire Santa Fe area! Not only can you see the historic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where the sunset makes the mountains shine with a red glow in the evening (hence the name “Sangre de Cristo” or “Blood of Christ”), you can also see the Jemez Mountains to the west, and in the south and southwest the Cerrillos Hills, the Ortiz Mountains and the Sandia Peak at the base of which lies the city of Albuquerque.

When you or a loved one has a condition requiring a wheelchair, you may feel like camping is out of the question, but these wheelchair accessible class C motorhomes for sale can help! We’ll take a look at four of our favorite floorplans for RVs that easily accommodate. Learn more below.

2018 Thor Motor Coach Chateau 24FS

You’re getting a steal on this used 2018 Thor Motor Coach Chateau 24FS class C motorhome for $99,995. The cab-over bunk is a great space for the kids to enjoy, and you’ll love that the wall slide-out provides maximum interior living space to accommodate a wheelchair easily.

Additional Features:

2018 Thor Motor Coach Chateau 23U

Another amazing model that makes it easy to travel with your loved one, this 2018 Thor Motor Coach Chateau 23U class C motorhome is a great couple’s coach. You’ll find a spacious queen bed with a Denver mattress to ensure you always get a great night’s sleep in the rear. You’ll love that there is an entertainment center in the living room with a Blue Ray player and a 40″ LED TV.

Additional Features:

Earlier this morning officials with the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) adjourned a four-month discussion over the addition of motorhomes to the Stock Car Classification Guide. 

With unanimous consent, NHRA leadership and motorsports representatives concluded deliberations that would allow for Class B, Class C, as well as select models of Class A RVs to compete as early as 2023.

Vice President of Motorsports, Don Mayer commented that “this will be a tremendous leap forward for motorsports,” noting the sheer number of racers who have been omitted from competition due to a lack of vehicular inclusivity.

Not the least of which includes Camping World CEO and avid motorhome racer, Marcus Lemonis who said he’s been waiting for this moment his entire life, adding  “Finally, I can do what I was truly born to do.”

Perhaps none of this would have been made possible, however, without the efforts of Tara McLachlan, who has served as VP of Recreational Operations with the NHRA for nearly 23 years. McLachlan partnered with Ian Baker and Chris Young of the Federation of American Recreational Competitive Engines (FARCE) to ensure track safety and proper accommodations for the incoming class of nearly 2,500 recreational racers. 

The sewer hose – lovingly referred to as the “stinky slinky” – is one of the most critical accessories for your RV. Routine hose maintenance makes for a more enjoyable camping experience. So let’s talk about tips for caring for your RV sewer hose!

Tips For Caring For Your RV Sewer Hose

It’s not glamorous, but a clean sewer hose is a whole lot more fun than a dirty one. Neglect is probably the single most devastating culprit when it comes to sewer hose maintenance. But if you don’t know what to do, it’s hard to get started. 

Here are some tips to keep your sewer hose in good working order:

Tip #1: Empty Your Holding Tanks Correctly

There may be more to this step than you expect. So start by consulting our step-by-step guide to emptying your RV’s holding tanks. Following that guide when dumping your RV is one of the best things you can do to keep your sewer hose in good condition. 

Every year, phone-based distracted driving causes 2 million accidents. Those accidents create 500,000 injuries and 4,000 deaths annually.

With April being National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and thousands of RVers hitting the road for the first time this camping season, it’s worth it to take a second to contemplate those numbers.

That’s 10 deaths per day. 10 people who would be with us if we eliminated distracted driving. Luckily, there’s something you can do about it. And no, you don’t have to forgo the latest technology. Instead, embrace technology and use it for good. That’s where This App Saves Lives (TASL) comes in.

TASL is a mobile app that rewards drivers who choose not to engage in phone-based distracted driving. In short, it incentivizes people to do the right thing, and with more people out enjoying the roads this spring and summer it will be more important than ever to drive safely.

Drive Smarter, Especially While RVing

Distracted driving can be a huge problem for anyone behind the wheel, but when you’re driving or towing an RV, the stakes are even higher. Most of the time, there are multiple people traveling with you and the vehicle is large. Those reasons alone should be enough for you to take extra care. RVing, and driving in general, can be done safely, but it requires your attention, and TASL can help you keep your concentration on the road.

When it comes to hitting the road for your next adventure, it should come as no surprise that you want to take your favorite people with you to share in the excitement. However, sometimes our favorite people are actually our pets. Yes, pets really are just like family. Man’s best friend? You bet. Our four-legged friends are our forever companions, so obviously we want to take them on the road with us when we’re RVing across the country to share in all the memory-making fun that happens along the way.

There are plenty of tips for RVing with your dog, but here are some of our tried and true rules for keeping Fido safe and happy whether you’re taking a long or short haul.

1. Get Daily Exercise

Just like us, our four-legged friends will need exercise. Depending on the size of your pet and RV, they may be able to get a healthy amount of running just playing a game of fetch inside. But for larger pets, finding a local pet-friendly park is a great option—especially one where they can socialize with other traveling animals. Additionally, the old saying that a tired puppy is a good puppy still rings true regardless of your pet’s age. Giving your pet a solid amount of exercise ensures they’re not itching to get out of the RV when you’re on the road. Instead, they’ll more than likely nap or at least relax in between stops.

2. Regular Health Checkups

On the off-chance that something happens to your pet while you’re on the road, it’s important to be able to find a local veterinarian. Smartphones can easily be your friend here, but some research into your destination and major places along the way can help make sure your best friend has a nearby doctor were something to arise. Your local vet may even be able to recommend a few along your route. Planning a few things in advance, such as where your pet will sleep in the RV and how to protect your pet from the heat, can go a long way in helping your pet enjoy the trip just as much as you.

3. Know Pet Policies

Campgrounds tend to have separate policies regarding animals versus human visitors. For example, some national parks don’t allow pets on the trails at all, while other campgrounds usually require that they be on a leash when outdoors and that owners clean up after them. Regardless of where you go, you should always clean up after your pet whether there’s a sign indicating to do so or not. Some places don’t allow pets to be left unattended, which can be a problem if you’re more of a park-and-explore type RVer. There may also be weight and breed restrictions for dogs at certain locations. Check out the campground’s policies before setting up camp with your pooch in tow to avoid any issues during your trip.

After the last few years, we’re all a little exhausted, to say the least. What is the best way to remedy exhaustion? Sleep! Not just any sleep though – quality sleep. Whether you’re taking a nap, tucking in after a long day, cuddling up next to your significant other, or hibernating for the season, there are a few things to stock up on to make your next sleep the best sleep.

Check out some of our favorite accessories for sleeping better in your RV that will have you well-rested and ready for your next adventure.

Sleep Number r5 Mattress

The success of your sleep will always come down to the mattress you’re sleeping on. With the Sleep Number r5 Mattress, you get the perfect balance of softness, support, and alignment. Each side adjusts individually to give you and your partner customized comfort for restful sleep that you both can enjoy even while on the road. Let’s face it, opposites attract and the chances of you and your partner agreeing on a firmness level for your mattress will be like the two of you deciding where to have dinner. Avoid the debate and skip straight to the good part.

The Sleep Number r5 Mattress is available in Short Queen, Queen, Short Queen Radius, Queen Radius, RV King, RV King Radius, and Eastern King. All sizes come with 7 unique comfort zones that contour to your body.

Sleep Number r3 Mattress

In case you two lovebirds don’t need as many individualized comfort settings, the Sleep Number r3 Mattress is a good option. With five zones that contour to your body, the DualAir technology adjusts firmness on each side with a convenient, wireless remote. Available in all the same sizes as the r5, this mattress focuses on cushioning the neck, back, and hips for a good night’s sleep that will have you both ready for a full day of exploring – although I’m willing to bet neither of you will want to leave the comfort of this bed. Choices! Life is full of them.

The RV industry is used to twists and turns which is exactly why you’ll see them making every effort to stay ahead of the curve. When it comes to advances in technology, RVs are sporting more features and high-tech gadgets than ever before. The comforts of home are included, as always, but we’re seeing more and more that RVs are starting to feel like high-end luxury apartments and not just a home on wheels. So, buckle up as we hit the ground running with our favorite cool new RV tech features.

All Things Solar

It’s rare to find an RV these days that’s not, at the very least, solar prepped. Many have solar panels already installed and are ready to roll fresh off the lot, but for those that don’t, it’s an easy upgrade to make. The benefits of having solar panels installed on your RV continue to grow. From operating your interior lights without any drain on your battery to the easy maintenance that prolongs their life and everything in between, solar panels are popular for good reason.

Let’s look at the 2022 Hideout Travel Trailer, for example. Solarflex 200 is standard on all new Hideout Travel Trailers. We’re talking 30A solar roof port with MC4 connectors and a 10 AWG MPPT solar charging circuit, a 200-watt solar panel from Future Solutions, an inverted 110-volt loop prep with up to seven outlets, and a Zamp Solar portable solar panel charging port. As if that doesn’t sell itself, it also comes with a 15A Victron SmartSolar MPPT controller that can be used with an app on your phone. How’s that for cool?

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Nothing stops you in your tracks quite like a tire blowout. They’re not only inconvenient, but they’re dangerous. Losing control of an RV while it’s in motion is scary, so it’s better to plan ahead. How, you ask? With a cool new tire pressure monitoring system.

When you’re covering a lot of ground, having a tire pressure monitoring system to monitor your RV’s tires makes maintenance easier. How do they work? Sensors are placed directly on your tires that send information back to a monitoring screen typically mounted on your dashboard. The newest systems monitor the pressure in your tires and trigger an alert if the pressure falls below a designated threshold.

Did you spend winter dreaming about all of the warm-weather travel possibilities in North America? Now it’s time to turn those dreams into a reality. We’ve got a slew of under-the-radar spots in the South Central States that explode in color with the arrival of spring.

Arkansas

Out-of-the-way forests, hills and lakes help Arkansas live up to its nickname as the “Natural State.” Explore unspoiled landscapes in a fun, easy-going getaway in the state’s north.

Boat, Fish and Golf in Horsehoe Bend

Away from the busy highways and interstates, Horseshoe Bend is a refuge for travelers seeking a woodsy escape. Drop a line or go canoeing in the strawberry river. The 640-acre Crown Lake is an unspoiled water recreation hot spot, and the nearby Turkey Mountain Golf Course offers 18 holes with championship-caliber fairways and greens.

Visiting Badlands National Park in South Dakota might feel like you’ve been dropped onto a whole new planet. It’s a 64,000-acre Mars-esque landscape just waiting to be explored–with bighorn sheep, bison, and a litany of mind-boggling rock formations. 

Here’s your guide to RVing Badlands National Park in South Dakota:

Why Visit Badlands National Park in an RV?

Renting an RV, or taking your own on a national parks road trip, is a great way to visit Badlands because there’s an epic off-grid camping location right outside the park’s northeast entrance. You’ll learn more about that later, but setting up an RV basecamp is ideal here for other reasons. 

They don’t call it the Badlands for nothing, and on a really hot day here, shade is virtually impossible to find. So having an RV to retreat to will give you either an air-conditioned space to escape the heat or an outdoor area underneath your awning to enjoy the scenery without baking in the sun. 

The park’s main road is a little windy and slow speeds are advised, but it is accessible to most RVs and travel trailers under 40 feet. Larger rigs should consider parking outside and taking a toad to check out the park’s interior attractions. 

Every year, phone-based distracted driving causes 2 million accidents. Those accidents create 500,000 injuries and 4,000 deaths annually.

With April being National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and thousands of RVers hitting the road for the first time this camping season, it’s worth it to take a second to contemplate those numbers.

That’s 10 deaths per day. 10 people who would be with us if we eliminated distracted driving. Luckily, there’s something you can do about it. And no, you don’t have to forgo the latest technology. Instead, embrace technology and use it for good. That’s where This App Saves Lives (TASL) comes in.

TASL is a mobile app that rewards drivers who choose not to engage in phone-based distracted driving. In short, it incentivizes people to do the right thing, and with more people out enjoying the roads this spring and summer it will be more important than ever to drive safely.

Drive Smarter, Especially While RVing

Distracted driving can be a huge problem for anyone behind the wheel, but when you’re driving or towing an RV, the stakes are even higher. Most of the time, there are multiple people traveling with you and the vehicle is large. Those reasons alone should be enough for you to take extra care. RVing, and driving in general, can be done safely, but it requires your attention, and TASL can help you keep your concentration on the road.

I used to travel to far-flung destinations at every chance I got, but then the pandemic hit and I was forced to sit still in my hometown of Vancouver. With international travel curbed for over a year, I had to find other ways to satisfy my wanderlust. I began researching staycations and stumbled upon the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia.

Stretching 112 miles from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound, this slice of natural paradise is a short ferry ride from Vancouver but feels a world away with secluded beaches, old-growth forests and artsy oceanside villages. I spent three days on the Sunshine Coast (it was glorious) and compiled the ultimate itinerary to inspire you to take the same trip.

Day 1: Gibsons and Roberts Creek

Morning

From West Vancouver, board a ferry at Horseshoe Bay and enjoy a 40-minute journey admiring a dazzling backdrop of coastal mountains. After docking, drive 10 minutes to the charming community of Gibsons. Gibsons Landing is where much of the action happens, with the Gibsons Public Market, Sunshine Coast Museum and numerous art galleries lining the harbor. Peruse the shops and have fresh seafood for lunch at Smitty’s Oyster House or Molly’s Reach Restaurant.

Afternoon

Just a 15-minute drive away is Cliff Gilker Park in Roberts Creek. Spend the afternoon hiking easy trails, which lead to waterfalls and Douglas ir trees. What’s great about this woodland park is that it’s covered by a canopy, so you can hike rain or shine. You can also visit nearby Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park, home to one of the highest peaks in the lower Sunshine Coast. If you’re up for it, trek the 7.6-mile Summit Trail for views all the way to Vancouver on a clear day.

Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is a grab bag of outdoor recreation. Hardcore hikers can hit trails leading to towering, snowcapped mountains. Botany buffs can explore the lush rainforests that flourish with humid air and water. Surfers hit the big waves that roll into shore in places like LaPush.

That’s just scratching the surface of the 1,442-square-mile region. Visitors can experience it all when they stay at Elma RV Park, a laidback Good Sam Campground located in its namesake town 30 miles west of Olympia. Described as the Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, this campground puts the region’s long menu of recreational activities within reach. 

Coastal Cruising

From Elma, follow roads that hug the Pacific Coast for uncrowded beaches and diverse communities. Forty-two miles west of Elma, motorists will discover a stretch of Pacific Coast lined with several charming beach towns. Hang around Ocean Shores and launch a kite into the sky, or grab a shovel and pail and dig for clams. Head north and watch the Moclips River empty into the Pacific Ocean near the town of the same name. Further North on the Coast, the town of Taholah serves up beautiful beaches near the outlets of the Quinault River. 

Surf’s Up

Venturing into Olympic National Park on the Pacific Coast, the community of La Push is home to fantastic waves, with beaches for surfers of all experience levels. Here, where the Quillayute River meets the Pacific Ocean, board riders can catch waves as high as seven feet.